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1904-1913 



Historical Sketch of the Fraternity 



By 



FRANCIS W. SHEPARDSON, of Ayin 
Grand President 1910-1913 



Published by authority of the 
Grand Council 



CHICAGO 

1913 



^ 4 



THE ROLL OF CHAPTERS 



1904 Aleph — University of Michigan 151 

1904 Beth— Stanford University 86 

1904 Gimel — University of Kansas 149 

1904 Daleth— University of Nebraska 168 

1905 He — University of California . . . ' 91 

1906 Waw— Ohio State University 153 

1906 Zayin— Dartmouth College (1908) 23 

1906 Teth— Harvard University 125 

1906 Heth— University of Illinois 154 

1906 Yodh — University of Pennsylvania 140 

1906 Kaph — University of Minnesota 160 

1906 Lamedth — University of Wisconsin 126 

1907 Mem — University of Missouri 133 

1907 Nun — Cornell University 96 

1907 Samehk— Purdue University 100 

1908 Ayin — University of Chicago 69 

1909 Pe— Yale University 71 

1909 Tsadhe — Columbia University 78 

1909 Koph— Iowa State College 72 

1909 Resh— State University of Iowa 89 

1909 Shin — Pennsylvania State College 63 

1909 Tav— University of Oregon (1912) 43 

1910 Aleph-Aleph — Washington State University 37 

1910 Aleph-Beth — Northwestern University 62 

1911 Aleph-Gimel — University of Colorado 62 

1911 Aleph-Daleth — Syracuse University ^ 35 

Total Membership 2536 



UP 29 1913 



THE ACACIA FRATERNITY. 

The Beginning. — The Acacia Fraternity is an outgrowth 
of Masonic interest at the University of Michigan. Its birth- 
place was a little room in the boarding house, No. 236 South 
Thayer Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here a small group of 
Master Masons, under the leadership of W. S. Wheeler, 
Law '04, and W. J. Marshall, Lit-Medic '07, met each week 
during the winter and early spring of the college year 1903-04 
and gradually worked out the idea of a college men's Masonic 
fraternity. The substantial basis was the University of Michi- 
gan Masonic Club, which was started in the early part of Feb- 
ruary, 1894, when P. A. Shanor and E. W. Moore of Pennsyl- 
vania, VV. S. Rundell of Michigan, and W. C. Michaels of 
Kansas, all members of '95 Law, decided to call a meeting for 
considering the formation of a Masonic Club. After two trials 
a meeting attended by fourteen men was held February 24, 
1894, P. A. Shanor being temporary chairman and W. C. 
Michaels temporary secretary. March 1, 1894, a constitution 
was adopted and oriicers were chosen, P. A. Shanor being made 
president, B. C. Morse, vice-president, and F. W. Blake, secre- 
tary-treasurer, these men representing, respectively, the Law, 
Literary and Dental Departments o± the University. This 
club was incorporated June 5, 1895. At the opening of the 
new college year in the autumn, some rooms were fitted up for 
club purposes. By March 1, 1896, there were ninety-four active 
members. In the autumn of 1900, W. J. Marshall, with John 
R. Wilson and Frank K. Leighton, assumed the responsibility 
of renting a house as a sort of chapter house. That year No. 
313 North Thayer street was occupied and during 1901-1903 
No. 801 South State street. 

The Larger Vision. — Owing to the lack of enthusiasm of 
the officers and the loose construction of the organization, 
interest was almost dead when the college year 1903-1904 
opened. Only three members attended a meeting, W. J. Mar- 
shall, C. A. Sink and Clarence G. Hill. These determined on 
that October day in 1903 to reorganize the club on a more 
stable and permanent basis and to seek co-operation with 
similar clubs known to exist in other institutions. While the 
minutes of the meetings in the formative period of Acacia 
unfortunately were destroyed (statement of W. J. Marshall, 
Journal, Vol. II, No. 1, p. 48), the fraternity had the great 
advantage of having the history all carefully written out in 
detail by its founders in several Journal articles, this publica- 
tion thus becoming invaluable source material for the his- 
torian. On January 30, 1904, "it was moved and supported 
that the president and two others whom he shall appoint shall 
constitute a committee to ascertain the legal requirements for 



forming a fraternal organization to be national in its scope." 
This committee consisted of President W. S. Wheeler, J. W. 
Hawkins and B. E. DeRoy. A few important dates are to be 
noted showing how the organization developed. On April 2, 
1904, committees were appointed as follows: 

(1) On Constitution and By-Laws: E. E. Gallup, George 
A. Malcolm; (2) On Ritual: Harlan P. Rowe, William J. 
Marshall, C. A. Sink; (3) On Insignia: Benjamin E. DeRoy, 
E. R. Rings, J. W. Hawkins; (4) On Chapter House: G. G. 
Hill, Harvey J. Howard. 

Acacia Named. — On April 30, 1904, it was ordered that 
the name of the regenerated organization be the Acacia Fra- 
ternity, the Michigan Chapter to be called Aleph. The dis- 
cussion over the fraternity name and the reasons for adopting 
the Hebrew nomenclature are described in the Journal of the 
Acacia Fraternity, Vol. I, No. 1, p. 9. The archives of the 
fraternity contain some interesting and important affidavits 
relating to a claim made by the Masonic Club at the Univer- 
sity of Minnesota to priority in organization. The statements 
there outlined show that W. J. Marshall in the summer of 1903 
had a conversation with F. A. Wildes, Jr., at Hibbing, Minne- 
sota. The former was then in the employ of the Duluth and 
Mesaba Northern Railroad. The latter was a senior in the 
Law School of the University of Minnesota and assistant State 
Inspector of Mines. Mr. Marshall described with enthusiasm 
the history of the Michigan Club as already outlined above. 
Mr. Wildes stated that the Minnesota Masons had been dis- 
cussing a club of the same general type. In March, 1904, this 
organization was effected under the name of "Acacia Club" 
and two rooms were secured for the use of its some fifty mem- 
bers. A badge bearing Hebrew letters was adopted. The 
members of the Acacia fraternity at Michigan did not know of 
any possible rivalry with this organization until a letter was re- 
ceived, probably on March 3, 1905, from the secretary of the 
Beth Chapter at the University of California, Robert R. Ran- 
kin, describing a visit from Andrew Johnson, a member of the 
Acacia Club of Minnesota, who claimed priority for the Min- 
nesota organization and declared that its name and its Hebrew 
letters had been copied by the Michigan Club (see letter from 
Kaph Chapter in the Journal, Vol. II, No. 1, p. 44). The Michi- 
gan men, however, show conclusively, in affidavits made in 
1907, that they worked entirely independently. The name 
"Acacia'' was selected after a conference with W. G. Doty, 
Past Grand Commander of Michigan Knights Templar, and 
L. C. Goodrich, Grand Lecturer of Michigan Royal Arch 
Masons, Mr. Doty suggesting the name, which was adopted, 
as one well understood and often used in Masonry. The 
Hebrew letters were selected on purpose to be different from 
the Greek letters commonly used by college fraternities, 
and because of the prominence of Hebrew history in Masonic 



literature. The case seems to be a clear one of coincidence, 
a thing by no means unique in college fraternity history, and 
since the Minnesota Club afterwards became a chapter of the 
Acacia Fraternity, founded at Michigan, the possibility of 
friction soon disappeared. 

Fraternity Incorporated. — Returning to the story of prog- 
ress at Michigan, on May 7, 1904, the committee on reorgani- 
zation reported a plan for incorporation under the provisions 
of Act 171 of the Public Acts of Michigan for 1903, entitled 
"An Act for the Incorporation of Associations not for Pecuni- 
ary Profit." The plan was adopted and the committee was 
instructed to prepare Articles of Association and arrange for 
incorporation. At the same meeting a draft of a ritual was 
presented. After much discussion and some changes this was 
formally adopted. It was largely the result of extended re- 
search by W. J. Marshall (see "Acacia's Ritual" in the 
Journal, Vol. II, No. 1, pp. 47-50. This first ritual was revised 
by H. P. Rowe, W. J. Marshall and J. M. Cooper, appointed 
for that purpose on May 31, 1904. They made three type- 
written copies. On November 19, 1904, W. J. Marshall, M. 
Wolff and W. A. Hall were appointed to make further revision 
and strike off additional copies, thirty being prepared. The 
committee was finally discharged December 6, 1904. The 
fraternity archives contain a typewritten copy of this first 
ritual as revised and formally adopted by the first Grand Con- 
clave held at Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 27-29, 1905. The 
ritual was first outlined before the Constitution was adopted 
on May 24, 1904, and some of the revisions were incident to 
that fact. The fraternity archives contain a copy of the Con- 
stitution as adopted at the first Grand Conclave in 1905. 

First National Officers. — On May 11, 1904, the officers of 
the Fraternity for its first year were elected, as follows: 

President — Harlan P. Rowe. 

Vice-President — George A. Malcolm. 

Secretary — William J. Marshall. 

Treasurer — Harvey J. Howard. 

Directors — Walter S. Wheeler, Harry B. Washburn, Ben- 
jamin E. DeRoy, Clarence G. Hill, Edward E. Gallup. 

These, with James M. Cooper, J. Waldo Hawkins, W. L. 
Mig^itt, W. A. Hall, Ernest R. Rings, Ralph B. Scatterway, 
M. Wolff, and Charles A. Sink, were duly incorporated and 
became the Charter Members of the Acacia Fraternity. The 
fraternity is fortunate in having preserved a photograph of 
sixteen of these men who hold this honored place as founders 
(see Journal, Vol. I, No. 1, p. 15). On May 12, 1904, the 
articles of incorporation were filed with the Clerk of Wash- 
tenaw County, Michigan, and on May 27, 1904, they were 
received for record b3^ the Department of State and entered 
in the Record of Corporations. 



New Chapters. — In the autumn Aleph Chapter moved into 
a house at 1103 East Huron street. The notice of the establish- 
ment of the fraternity was given wide publicity and led to cor- 
respondence with Masons in several large universities. The 
result was the establishment during the college year of four 
new chapters, as follows : 

November 12, 1904 — Beth, at Leland Stanford. 

November 24, 1904 — Gimel, at the University of Kansas. 

February 12, 1905 — Daleth, at the University of Nebraska. 

April 15, 1905 — He, at the University of California. 

On April 11, 1905, Aleph chapter passed the following 
resolution : "The secretary is hereby instructed to notify the 
other four chapters that Aleph chapter calls the first National 
Convention for June 23d and 24th and the fore part of the 
week following; to be held at the Acacia house, Ann Arbor, 
Michigan, at which convention each chapter will be entitled 
to two delegates and to two votes." On May 6, 1905, the date 
was changed to June 26, 1905. 

First Conclave. — The Convention met at the Acacia house 
in Ann Arbor, at 8:50 a. m., June 27, 1905. It was called to 
order by C. A. Binckley, president of the Aleph chapter. 
Brother E. E. Miller of Beth presented a proxy from He and 
was accepted as its delegate. The complete roster of the Con- 
vention was : 

Aleph— H. P. Rowe, C. G. Hill. 

Beth— E. E. Miller. 

Gimel— O. Q. Claflin, Jr. 

Daleth — Charles R. Weeks. 

He — E. E. Miller (proxy). 

The Convention was organized by the selection of Harlan 
P. Rowe of Aleph chapter, as president, and E. E. Miller of 
Beth, as secretary. The first business was the adoption of a 
Constitution. (See Journal, Vol. I, No. 1, pp. 42-45.) On June 
28th national officers were chosen as follows: 

President — Harlan P. Rowe, of Aleph. 

First Vice-President — O. Q. Claflin, of Gimel. 

Second Vice-President — John Westover, of Daleth. 

Secretary — Clarence G. Hill, of Aleph. 

Treasurer — Earl E. Miller, of Beth. 

A summary of the other constructive work of the Con- 
vention shows that the ritual was studied and revised, five 
copies, all numbered, being loaned to each chapter. Dues were 
fixed, initiates being charged four dollars, alumni members 
three dollars and active members twenty-five cents a month. 
A badge was adopted in the form of a right angled triangle 
with sides proportionately three, four and five ; the border 
jeweled, and containing on a black enameled background three 
smaller triangles, designated by the Hebrew letters Shin, Teth 
and He. Its wearing was restricted to members, their mothers, 



/ 



wives, sisters, daughters and nances. No other jewelry was 
provided. Colors of black and gold apparently had been 
accepted as adopted by the Aleph chapter. Expulsion was 
made the penalty for joining a Greek-letter fraternity, other 
than honorary. Each chapter was ordered to pay the traveling 
expenses of its delegates to the National Conventions. Encour- 
agement was voted to the formation of a National College 
Eastern Star sorority. The secretary was authorized to print 
the Constitution, the Ritual and the Minutes of the Conven- 
tion. A copy of the photograph of the Convention was voted 
to each of the five chapters and to each new chapter on its 
establishment. (For this picture see Journal, Vol. I, No. 1, 
p. 39.) The Convention adjourned at four p. m. on June 29, 

1905, subject to call by the Grand Council. 

On July 26, 1905, the secretary presented to the Grand 
Council this request: "The secretary asks permission of the 
Grand Council to make the annual pamphlet the first number 
of the annual publication of the fraternity, to be a magazine 
called "The Acacia" and to contain a full report of the Grand 
Conclave, Grand Council and of each chapter; to contain a 
complete directory of the members, alumni and active, a his- 
tory of the fraternity and articles by men prominent in Masonic 
circles." This request was granted by the unanimous vote of 
the Grand Council and thus the Journal of Acacia came into 
being. 

On September 9, 1905, the secretary submitted to the 
Grand Council designs for a charter and for a membership 
certificate, these being the work of the Grand President. They 
were unanimously adopted. 

During the college year 1905-1906 the extension of the 
fraternity was rapid, new chapters being established as follows : 
March 24, 1906— Waw, Ohio State University. 
March 31, 1906 — Zayin, Dartmouth College. 
April 13, 1906 — Teth, Harvard University. 
April 28, 1906— Heth, University of Illinois. 
May 3, 1906 — Yodh, University of Pennsylvania. 
May 22, 1906 — Kaph, University of Minnesota. 
May 22, 1906 — Lamedth, University of Wisconsin. 

In some instances these chapters seem to have been 
founded on the initiative of the officers of the fraternity rather 
than as a result of petitions from groups seeking membership. 
In the case of Zayin at Dartmouth the action was too hasty 
as the chapter soon died from lack of sufficient Masonic ma- 
terial for membership. 

Second Conclave. — The second National Convention, now 
called "Conclave" under the Constitution, was held at the 
Hyde Park Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, on June 20, 21 and 22, 

1906. The following delegates were present: 
Aleph— W. L. Miggett. 

Beth— James R. Dillon. 



Gimel — Frank R. Grant. 

Daleth — Not represented. 

He — Edwin J. Berringer. 

Waw— J. H. Tilton. 

Zayin — Not represented. 

Heth— W. J. MacFarland. 

Teth — Snowden Parlette. 

Yodh — George E. Nitzsche. 

Kaph — C. A. Erdman. 

Lamedth — F. J. Petura. 

The Conclave continued the constructive work of the fra- 
ternity. It appointed official jewelers, again revised the rit- 
ual, recommended the use of regalia and paraphernalia, pro- 
vided that all initiation work be secret, made a revision of 
the fees, made the chapters responsible for all fees, appointed 
a committee on seal and adopted a fraternity flag. There was 
much discussion of the perplexing Greek-letter membership 
topic and a motion was adopted providing that if an individual 
should go to an institution having a chapter of Acacia and 
join a Greek-letter fraternity, free choice being given to join 
either, he should be barred from further membership in Aca- 
cia. The chapter at Illinois having been given the name Heth 
at its installation and desiring to retain that designation, al- 
though founded after the Harvard Chapter, it was decided 
to interchange the names Heth and Teth on the national rec- 
ord, so as to show the priority of the Harvard Chapter's estab- 
lishment. Lawrence, Kansas, was selected as the meeting 
place for the third Grand Conclave, the time being fixed for 
the last week in June or the first week in July, 1907. Grand 
officers were chosen as follows : 

President— E. E. Miller, of Beth. 

First Vice-President — J. H. Tilton, of Waw. 

Second Vice-President — C. A. Erdman, of Kaph. 

Secretary — C. G. Hill, of Aleph. 

Treasurer — Snowden Parlette, of Teth. 

During the year two additional chapters were established 
as follows: 

May 17, 1907 — Mem. — University of Missouri. 

May 30, 1907— Nun.— Cornell University. 

Third Conclave. — The Third Grand Conclave was held 
at Lawrence, Kansas, on July 1, 2, 3, and 4, 1907. The fol- 
lowing delegates were present: 

Aleph — H. S. Bowman. 

Beth — F. A. Hermann. 

Gimel — C. D. Ise. 

Daleth— G. W. Cheney. 

He— W. K. Watkins. 

Waw — C. J. Knisely. 

Zayin — Not represented. 

Heth— A. N. Heavy. 



Teth — Not represented. 

Yodh— F. H. Hudson. 

Lamedth — J. O. SchafL 

Kaph — Not represented. 

Mem — Harry E. Kilmer. 

Nun — H. C. Pierce. 

Individual reports of conditions in the chapters were 
made. The Constitution was thoroughly revised after much 
debate and many votes on details. The Ritual also was 
changed. There was consideration of a change in terminology 
from Hebrew letters to Greek, the name Delta Pi Alpha being 
proposed and rejected by a vote of 6 to 5. Provision was made 
for an Endowment Fund. The file of affidavits designated 
"History of the Organization of the Acacia Fraternity" was 
ordered placed in the archives (see account above). Each 
delegate was made a committee on fraternity seal, suggestions 
to be reported to the Grand Secretary within sixty days. 
Acacia songs written by Mrs. L. C. Goodrich, of Michigan, 
were officially adopted for the fraternity. Shingles were ap- 
proved. A committee was appointed to make further study 
of the Ritual to report at the next Conclave. A national in- 
stallation fee of ten dollars for each member of a petitioning 
body was fixed and a charter fee of twenty-five dollars estab- 
lished. A fee of five dollars for each initiate to accompany 
his membership was voted. Other financial provisions were 
adopted. By a vote of 6 to 5 each member was required to 
purchase a badge. Special badges for the Grand Officers were 
ordered and their designs adopted. A service or presentation 
badge was approved, its design being left to the Grand Coun- 
cil, and the right to wear it being reserved to vote of the 
Grand Conclave. Such badges were voted to W. J. Marshall, 
W. S. Wheeler, H. P. Rowe and C. G. Hill. Provision was 
made for the publication of the Journal at an expense not 
to exceed $300. No special editor was chosen. The Grand 
Secretary was put in charge, and chapters were allowed to 
send in such copy as each deemed fit, articles of general Ma- 
sonic interest being also favored. Discussion of double mem- 
bership was lively, the matter finally being left to the judg- 
ment of each chapter. The Grand Council was ordered to 
investigate the Zavin Chapter at Dartmouth. Champaign, 
Illinois, was selected as the meeting place of the fourth Con- 
clave. The following Grand Officers were chosen : 

Grand President — J. H. Tilton, of Waw. 

Grand Vice-President — H. C. Pierce, of Nun. 

Grand Secretary — G. W. Cheney, of Daleth. 

Grand Treasurer — C. D. Ise, of Gimel. 

A photograph of the delegates to this Grand Conclave 
is reproduced in the Journal, Vol. Ill, No. 1, p. 5, along with 
other pictures of historic interest. 

During the following year the Zayin Chapter was dropped 
from the roll and a new branch established: 



October 11, 1907 — Samehk — Purdue University. 

Fourth Conclave. — The Fourth Grand Conclave was held 
in Heth Chapter house in Champaign, Illinois, June 24, 25 and 
26, 1908. The following delegates were present: 

Aleph— J. W. Murphy. 

Beth — Not represented. 

Gimel — Jacob Jones. >f 

Daleth— R. I. Elliott. 

He — Hugh T. Gordon. 

Waw— K. B. Ward. 

Teth— W. W. Snow. 

Heth — M. C. Tanquary. 

Yodh — Joseph R. Wilson. 

Kaph — Not represented. 

Lamedth — J. L. Rodabaugh. 

Mem — Harry E. Kilmer. 

Nun— A. R. Keith. 

Samehk — Daniel Senour. 

Reports of the Grand Officers showed steady progress. 
The names of sixteen honorary members were reported by the 
Grand Council, which also announced the adoption of a de- 
sign for a grand seal. The minutes of this Conclave, published 
in a separate pamphlet of sixty-one pages, contain several full 
reports of officers, the revised Constitution and Laws, a four 
page report of the National Endowment Committee, and a 
copy of an agreement between Purdue University and the 
Samehk Chapter. The discussion of changes in the Constitu- 
tion and Laws occupied much of the time of the Conclave. A 
case of discipline reported from Waw Chapter was remanded 
to the chapter for reconsideration. Provision was made for a 
pledge pin. The death of President Cleveland was recognized 
by the adoption of a message of sympathy to his widow. A. 
R. Keith, of Nun, A. K. Wilson, of Gimel and Stanley Coulter, 
of Samehk, were constituted a committee to revise the Ritual. 
Decision was made to use the single word Acacia for the name 
of the fraternity, old English letters being employed. Chap- 
ters were urged to send as Conclave delegates students in- 
tending to return to college for another year. A proposition 
for uniform chapter accounting was favored. Traveling cards 
and leather cases for their proper preservation were ordered. 
Philadelphia was selected as the meeting place of the fifth 
Grand Conclave on September 15, 1909. The following Grand 
Officers were chosen : 

Grand President — Joseph R. Wilson, of Yodh. 

Grand Vice-President — H. C. Pierce, of Nun. 

Grand Secretary — Harry E. Kilmer, of Mem. 

Grand Treasurer — M- C. Tanquary, of Heth. 

The beginning of the administration of Grand Secretary 
Harry E. Kilmer was marked by notable progress. The 
Journal under his management put on a new dress, three 



numbers being issued during the year. Vigorous attempts 
were made to complete the official records of the fraternity 
particularly the membership records. Six new chapters were 
added to the fraternity roster : 

December 5, 1908 — Ayin — University of Chicago. 

January 15, 1909 — Pe — Yale University. 

March 20, 1909— Tsadhe— Columbia University. 

March 20, 1909— Koph— Iowa State College. 

April 17, 1909 — Resh — State University of Iowa. 

June 9, 1909 — Shin — Pennsylvania State College. 

Fifth Conclave. — The Fifth Grand Conclave was held with 
Yodh Chapter at Philadelphia September 15, 16 and 17, 1909. 
The following delegates were present: 

Aleph — W. R. Thompson. 

Beth — Harlow Greenwood. 

Gimel — George C. Magatagan. 

Daleth — I. G. von Forell. 

He— J. F. Pullen. 

Waw— R. B. Colton. 

Teth — L. L. Green. 

Heth — T. H. Amrine. 

Yodh— A. P. Clime. 

Kaph — E. H. Comstock. 

Lamedth — John E. Treleven. 

Mem — George W. Sneed. 

Nun — G. W. Lewis. 

Samehk — E. W. Green. 

Ayin— K. T. Waugh. 

Pe— W. M. Musgrave. 

Tsadhe— W. T. McCastline. 

Koph — Roy E. Smith. 

Resh— O. N. Elliott. 

Shin— H. N. Van Gorder. 

The Conclave was notable for the variety and the attract- 
iveness of the entertainment provided for the delegates by 
Yodh Chapter. Some changes were made in the Constitution 
and Laws. The Committee on Ritual reported further revi- 
sions. Three numbers of the Journal were ordered published. 
Steps were taken looking to the adoption of a fraternity veil 
and a whistle, and to the securing of additional songs. The 
pledge button was formally adopted. The following Grand 
Officers were chosen: 

Grand President — Toseph R. Wilson, of Yodh. 

Grand Vice-President — John F. Pullen, of He. 

Grand Secretary — Harry E. Kilmer, of Mem. 

Grand Treasurer — Elting H. Comstock, of Kaph. 

A photograph showing the delegates and visitors to the 
Conclave is reproduced as a frontispiece to the Journal, Vol. 
V, No. 1. 

Three new chapters were established during the college 
year 1909-1910 : 



October 28, 1909 — Tav — University of Oregon. 
February 5, 1910 — Aleph-Aleph — University of Washing- 
ton. 

March 5, 1910 — Aleph-Beth — Northwestern University. 

Sixth Conclave. — The Sixth Grand Conclave was held 
with Mem Chapter at Columbia, Missouri, September 13, 14, 
15 and 16, 1910. The chapters were represented as follows: 

Aleph — George R. Green. 

Beth — Not represented. 

Gimel — Ben. L. Jones. 

Daleth— J. T. Maxwell. 

He — Charron Staples. 

Waw — Amos P. Potts. 

Teth — L. L. Green. 

Heth— W. E. Ekblaw. 

Kaph — E. H. Comstock. 

Yodh — Joseph R. Wilson. 

Lamedth — H. Sutherland. 

Mem — George W. Sneed. 

Nun— A. R. Keith. 

Samehk — E. B. Jacka. 

Ayin — Russell Elwell. 

Pe — S. R. Scholes. 

Tsadhe — Not represented. 

Koph— W. R. Laird. 

Resh — C. S. Cornell. 

Shin— W. S. Dye. 

Tav — C. P. Shangle. 

Aleph-Aleph— T. F. Murphy. 

Aleph-Beth— H. F. Methven. 

The Conclave adopted a revised Ritual which had been 
prepared by a committee consisting of A. R. Keith, F. W. 
Shepardson, Stanley Coulter and A. K. Wilson. An earnest 
plea was made for the enlargement of the powers of the Grand 
President. Much constructive work was done in the direction 
of perfecting the Constitution and Laws. For financial rea- 
sons the annual Conclave of 1911 was ordered omitted. The 
following Grand Officers were selected. 

Grand President — Francis W. Shepardson, of Ayin. 

Grand Vice-President — Elting H. Comstock, of Kaph. 

Grand Secretary — Harry E. Kilmer, of Mem. 

Grand Treasurer — Arthur R. Keith, of Nun. 

The two years following the Sixth Conclave made a period 
of steady internal development. The chapters prospered as a 
rule and a stronger fraternity feeling became manifest. The 
Journal showed constant improvement and became notably 
a clearing house for the frank interchange of opinions on 
mooted questions of vital importance. A few of the chap- 
ters published printed letters to their alumni, these taking the 
form of little chapter papers. The Grand President visited a 



dozen of the chapters. The fraternity found increased recog- 
nition in college annuals and in local inter-fraternity councils. 
It was admitted to membership in the national Inter-Frater- 
nity Conference. A sketch of its history was published in a 
new edition of "American College Fraternities." Two new 
chapters were founded : 

January 27, 1911 — Aleph-Gimel — University of Colorado. 

June 10, 1911 — Aleph-Daleth — Syracuse University. 

Seventh Conclave. — The Seventh Grand Conclave was 
held in Hitchcock Hall at the University of Chicago, Sep- 
tember 10, 11, 12 and 13, 1912, a section of the dormitory be- 
ing used as a "grand chapter house" and meetings being held 
in the same building. The chapters were represented as fol- 
lows : 

Aleph— W. S. Hopkin. 

Beth — Earl D. Brown. 

Gimel — O. M. Edmonson. 

Daleth — E. F. Hornberger. 

He — K. C. Leebrick. 

Waw — Not represented. 

Teth— A. A. Jenkins. 

Heth— W. E. Ekblaw. 

Kaph— A. D. Smith. 

Yodh— W. F. Guilfoyle. 

Lamedth — George E. Frazer. 

Mem — B. S. Heims. 

Nun — E. M. Holbrook. 

Samehk — J. W. Shera. 

Ayin — R. C. Woolsey. 

Pe— W. E. Schultz. 

Tsadhe — E. F. Humphrey. 

Koph— D. G. Whitaker. " 

Resh — C. A. Corey. 

Shin — A. I. Underwood. 

Tav — F. E. Dunton. 

Aleph-Aleph — J. R. Gates. 

Aleph-Beth— T. M. McKinney. 

Aleph-Gimel — A. G. Pierrot. 

Aleph-Daleth — N. Ransler. 

The Conclave was notable for its personnel, for the ear- 
nest spirit manifested, for its devotion to the work to be 
accomplished and for the fine fraternal feeling which devel- 
oped during its sessions. The perplexing problem of double 
memberships received much attention as it had in every pre- 
ceding Conclave. Constitutional changes were effected but 
with greater care to avoid duplication and repetition of enact- 
ments previously made. The reports of the Grand Officers 
were administrative documents of great value. Chapter re- 
ports showed steady advances toward local and general fra- 
ternity strength. The charter of Tav chapter was suspended, 
owing to the lack of students at Oregon having the funda- 



mental Masonic requirement for membership. The publica- 
tion of a quarterly Bulletin supplemental to the Journal 
was authorized. The formation of alumni chapters was en- 
couraged. Increased powers were given to the Grand Presi- 
dent. Madison, Wisconsin, was selected as the place of meet- 
ing of the Eighth Grand Conclave. Grand Officers were 
chosen as follows : 

Grand President — Francis W. Shepardson, of Ayin. 

Grand Vice-President — W. E. Ekbiaw, of Heth. 

Grand Secretary — Harry E. Kilmer, of Mem. 

Grand Treasurer — George E. Frazer, of Lamedth. 

A photograph showing delegates and visitors to the Con- 
clave is reproduced in the "J ourna V Vol. VIII, No. 1, frontis- 
piece. 

Grand Council Meeting. — The Grand Council held its first 
called session since the organization of the fraternity on April 
12 and 13, 1913 in the Heth chapter house at Champaign, 
Illinois. It formally recognized the Aleph Alumni chapter lo- 
cated in Chicago. Francis W. Shepardson, of Ayin chapter, 
was made Historian of the fraternity. A flag and a coat of 
arms were adopted. Provision was made for the codification 
of the fraternity laws. W. E. Schultz, John E. Treleven and 
H. H. Bussey were appointed a committee to prepare a song 
book. The observance of May 12 each year as Founders' Day 
was recommended, this being the date of incorporation of 
the fraternity in Michigan in 1904. Many other topics were 
carefully considered and detailed recommendations were pre- 
pared to be presented to the Eighth Grand Conclave to be 
held in Madison, Wisconsin, on September 17, 18 and 19, 1913. 

Conclusion. — Such in outline is the history of the Acacia 
Fraternity as the story is told in its Journal and in the min- 
utes of its seven Grand Conclaves. The nine years since its 
organization at Ann Arbor in 1904 have been years of con- 
structive work and of more or less uncertainty regarding its 
nature and destiny. There have been many sharp debates 
on questions of fraternity polic}^. There has been almost con- 
tinual constitutional change and much needless duplication 
and repetition in Conclave legislation. The Ritual has seen 
many revisions. Some mistakes have been made in the estab- 
lishment of chapters. The faults attendant upon youth and 
always incident to a growing institution have been evident. 
But the careful examination of the records has shown an ear- 
nest and determined spirit and a continued and steady growth, 
so that, at the opening of its tenth year Acacia is a well or- 
ganized fraternity, with its chapters quite firmly established, 
with general recognition in college communities, with a credit- 
able record of achievement and with an outlook upon a future 
which is full of hope. 

Francis W. Shepardson. 
September 17, 1913. 



Araria 

Incorporated at Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 12, 1904. 

The Grand Conclaves 

1— Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 27, 28, 29, 1905 

2— Chicago, Illinois, June 20, 21, 22, 1906 

3 — Lawrence, Kansas, July 1, 2, 3, 4, 1907 

4— Champaign, Illinois, June 24, 25, 26, 1908 

5 — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 15, 16, 17, 1909 

6 — Columbia, Missouri, September 13, 14, 15, 16, 1910 

7— Chicago, Illinois, September 10, 11, 12, 13, 1912 

8 — Madison, Wisconsin, September 17, 18, 19, 1913 

THE GRAND OFFICERS 
Grand Presidents 

1904-1906— Harlan P. Rowe, of Aleph 
1906-1907— Earl E. Miller, of Beth 
1907-1908— J. H. Tilton, of Waw 
1908-1910— Joseph R. Wilson, of Yodh 
1910-1913— Francis W. Shepardson, of Ayin 

Grand Vice-Presidents 

1904-1905— George A. Malcolm, of Aleph 
1905-1906— (1) O. Q. Claflin, of Gimel 

(2) John Westover, of Daleth 
1906-1909— H. C. Pierce, of Nun 
1909-1910— J. F. Pullen, of He 
1910-1912— Elting H. Comstock, of Kaph 
1912-1913— W. Elmer Ekblaw, of Heth 

Grand Secretaries 

1904-1905— William J. Marshall, of Aleph 
1905-1907— Clarence G. Hill, of Aleph 
1907-1908— G. W. Cheney, of Daleth 
1908-1913— Harry E. Kilmer, of Mem 

Grand Treasurers 

1904-1905— Harvey J. Howard, of Aleph 
1905-1906— Earl E. Miller, of Beth 
1906-1907— Snowden Parlette, of Teth 
1907-1908— C. D. Ise, of Gimel 
1908-1909— Maurice C. Tanquary, of Heth 
1909-1910— Elting H. Comstock, of Kaph 
1910-1912— Arthur R. Keith, of Nun 
1912-1913 — George E. Frazer, of Lamedth 

Directors 

1904-1905— Walter S. Wheeler, Harry B. Washburn, Benjamin E. 
DeRoy, Clarence G. Hill, Edward E. Gallup, all of Aleph 



SOURCE MATERIALS 

The Journal, is the principal source of material for the history of 
Acacia. The minutes of Grand Conclaves are to be found as follows: 

Minutes of the First Grand Conclave. Journal, May, 1906, pp. 48-60. 

Minutes of the Second Grand Conclave, Journal, February, 1907, 
pp. 4-24. 

Minutes of the Third Grand Conclave, Journal, 1908, p. 76 for brief 
summary. Complete minutes in manuscript in the fraternity archives. 



Minutes of the Fourth Grand Conclave, separately printed in a 62- 
page pamphlet. 

Minutes of the Fifth Grand Conclave, Journal, November, 1909, 
pp. 9-41. 

Minutes of the Sixth Grand Conclave, Journal, November, 1910, 
pp. 20-50. 

Minutes of the Seventh Grand Conclave, Journal, December, 1912, 
pp. 8-58. 

Some additional articles of historical interest are: 

Harlan P. Rowe: "History of Acacia Fraternity," Journal, May 
1906. pp. 5-9. (Also reprinted in Journal, February, 1911, pp. 23-25.) 

William J. Marshall: "University of Michigan Masonic Club," 
Journal, May, 1906, pp. 10-12. (Also reprinted in Journal, February, 
1911, pp. 25-26.) 

E. E. Gallup: "Aleph Chapter of Acacia Fraternity," Journal, May, 
1906, pp. 13-18. 

William J. Marshall: "Acacia's Ritual," Journal, February, 1907, 
pp. 47-50. 

Historical statements regarding the foundation of individual chap- 
ters are given in the Journal, usually in the first number following the 
date of installation. Several of the chapters have published chapter 
papers, such as the "Heth Hello," the "Nun Traveler," the "Yale 
Triangle," the "Acacia Bulletin" of Teth chapter, the "Letter from 
Home" of Gimel chapter, and the "Daleth Asp." 

No catalogue of the fraternity has been published, but lists of 
members were printed in the Journal, May, 1906, February, 1907, 1908, 
May, 1910 and February, 1912. 

The Journal has been richly illustrated with pictures of Conclave 
delegates, chapter groups, grand officers and other prominent mem- 
bers, and chapter houses, all of much historical value. 

The minutes of the first called meeting of the Grand Council are 
printed in Acacia Bulletin, May, 1913. 

A sketch of the history of Acacia, written by Francis W. Shepard- 
son, is found in Baird: "Manual of American College Fraternities," 
Seventh Edition, 1912, pp. 350-352. 

The "Constitution and Laws" has been printed in several editions, 
quickly rendered out of date because of many changes. 

The "Ritual" has been printed twice. 

The fraternity archives also include these important manuscripts: 

"Constitution of the Acacia Fraternity as adopted by the first 
Grand Conclave, held at the Acacia House, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 
26-30, 1905." 

"Ritual of the Acacia Fraternity, as revised and adopted by the 
first annual Grand Concuave, held at Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 26- 
30, 1905." 

"History of the Organization of the Acacia Fraternity," is a manu- 
script containing affidavits and letters setting forth in much detail the 
facts connected with early movements in the fraternity at Michigan. 
While apparently designed as a defence against the claims of priority 
put forth by Minnesota, the manuscript is rich in historical evidences. 

C. G. Hill: "To the Members of the Acacia Fraternity." A cir- 
cular letter, 9 pp. ms., under date April 14, 1906, relating to the 
establishment of Teth Chapter at Harvard University. 

"The Ritual of the Acacia Club of the University of Minnesota, 
revised to the time of the admission of said Club into the Acacia 
Fraternity." F. Alexander Stuart, chairman of the Committee on 
Ritual. 

C. G. Hill: A collection of twenty-three letters from the archives 
of the Zayin Chapter at Dartmouth, written by C. G. Hill, and de- 
scribing the progress of Acacia during the years 1906 and 1907. 



